Bullrich accused two PBA municipalities of organizing the incidents in Congress

The Minister of Security, Patricia Bullrich, targeted the municipalities of La Matanza and Lomas de Zamora for their alleged connection to the acts of violence that occurred in Congress.

According to the official,  organized groups departed from these localities to cause disturbances in downtown Buenos Aires.

Accusations against Espinoza and Insaurralde

Bullrich reported that among those detained were hooligans and members of different fan groups who mobilized from municipal offices.  "We want to highlight two: from the Municipality of La Matanza and the Municipality of Lomas de Zamora," she stated.

In this context, she pointed to the mayor of La Matanza, Fernando Espinoza, and the  former mayor of Lomas de Zamora, Martín Insaurralde, asserting that it was no coincidence that the violent protesters came from these municipalities. "Their leaders are all indicted for corruption, and it doesn't suit them for this government to continue," the minister said.

Allegations against hooligans and discovery of weapons

Bullrich also accused Leandro Capriotti, whom she linked to the union leader Luis Barrionuevo and mentioned as one of the main organizers of the protest.  "He is a well-known friend and protégé of Barrionuevo. We will include him in the complaint we will file today with the City of Buenos Aires," she assured.

Additionally, she revealed that during the incidents, firearms, knives, and nails used to puncture the tires of patrol cars and motorcycles were found. "Everything was prepared to generate the level of violence that occurred," she stated.

Deployment of security forces and detainees

To contain the protest, the Government deployed an operation that included the Gendarmerie, the Coast Guard, the Federal Police, the City Police, the Penitentiary Service, and the PSA.

Several protesters were detained, including people with criminal records and two foreigners, a Mexican and a Peruvian, who will be expelled from the country immediately.

Criticism of the judiciary and request to clubs

Bullrich criticized Judge Karina Andrade for quickly releasing the detainees."We in no way accept that a judge has released the violent individuals. Those who come with a Molotov cocktail and to break everything have an objective: destabilization," she warned.

Furthermore, she denounced the participation of hooligans from clubs like Gimnasia de La Plata, Deportivo Merlo, Tigre, Independiente, and All Boys. She asked the institutions to expel those involved and issue a statement of repudiation. "The club leadership that is complicit will have the same penalty and will be part of the illicit association," she warned.

Bill against hooligans

The minister confirmed that the Government will send a bill to Congress to combat hooligans. The initiative will seek to classify the figure of illicit association in football, with the aim of eradicating organized violence in the sport.

In that regard,  she recalled an episode in 2017 when the City Police did not act for more than four hours, which led to serious consequences. With the new legislation, the Executive aims to toughen the penalties against those who finance and organize these violent groups.